Sealing closure



`Fan. 10,1950 c. P. KRUPP 2,494,249

SEALING cLosURE Filed sept. 1, 1944 -2 sheets-sheet 1 Jan 10, 1950 v c. P. KRUPP 2,494,249

SEALING cLosURE Filed Sept. l, 1944 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patentecl Jan. 10, 1395i() SEALING CLOSURE Carroll P. Krupp, Akron, Ohio, assignor to The B. F. Goodrich Company, New York, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application September 1, 1944, Serial No. 552,304

19k Claims. (Cl. ,Z4-205.1)

The invention relates to sealing closures and especially to sealing closures for the ends of slide fastener structures.

Objects of the invention are to provide for sealing effectively an aperture in the wall of a hollow article; to provide lip-action sealing between an enclosure structure and a sealing surface at one side of the wall; to provide for sealing at the region of the margin of the aperture despite irregularities in the sealing surface; to'

provide for preventing accidental breakage of the seal and accidental loss of the enclosure structure; to provide such a structure adapted for sealing relation with a wall of flexible material which wall may be under a pressure differential; and to provide simplicity of construction, convenience of manufacture, and ease and effectiveness of operation.

Other objects of the invention are to provide for sealing effectively an end of a slide fastener structure; to provide for enclosing a runner or slider of the slide fastener at a face of the latter while sealing said end;V to provide an enclosure structure separably and interlockingly associated with the runner; to provide for sealing the end of the slide fastener by lip-action of the enclosure structure; to provide ease of engagement and disengagement of the enclosure with the runner; to provide for preventing accidental disengagement of the runner and the fastener elements of the slide fastener while facilitating operation of the latter, and to provide for operation of the runner with little or no wear on the sealing elements of the slide fastener structure.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. l is a plan view showing a sealing closure including an enclosure structure attached to separable margins of an article to be fastened and sealed, the closure being in a closed condition and constructed in accordance with an embodying the invention, parts being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a view like Fig. 1 but showing the sealing closure in a partially opened condition at one end thereof,

Fig. 3 is a side view on an enlarged scale of the sealing closure at said end taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, parts being broken away and in section,

taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing conformance of a marginal sealing lip of the enclosure to an irregularity in the sealing surface of said end of the sealing closure, parts being broken away,

Fig. 6 is a perspective View from above of the runner,

Fig. 'l is a sectional view taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 6, broken lines showing the disposition of sealing lips of the sealing closure relative to the' runner, and

Fig. 8 is a view showing a modified construction of the enclosure structure and the runner of the sealing closure.

The invention is suitable for sealing apertures in the flexible walls of articles such, for example, as garment bags, sleeping bags, wading boots, tents, gun coverings, protective clothing and suits and other like articles for preventing the admission of insects and dust, water and other objectionable substances; and in some of its aspects, the invention is applicable to sealing apertures in bodies of relatively rigid material such as metal, glass, Bakelite, hard rubber and other related materials. Also, the invention is especially suitable for application to containers for owable materials like foodstuffs, water, oil and fuel, and inflatable containers and clothing, such containers having wall portions Il of flexible, impervious material such, for example, as textile fabric of cotton, silk, linen, glass and rayon filaments coated or impregnated with resilient rubber or other rubber-likematerial I'Ia.

In the illustrative form of the invention shown in the drawings, a sealing closure including a slide` fastener structure I5 and an enclosure structure or housing I6 at one end of the sealing closure, is

and broken lines showing the enclosure in a released position relative to a runner of and prior to opening the sealing closure,

Fig. 4 is a side view on an enlarged scale taken along line 4--4 of Fig. 2, parts being broken away and in section,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale associated with the impervious, flexible wall I1 of suitable material coated with suitable rubber Ila of a container I8 for foodstuffs, for example, in a manner to provide for sealing an elongated aperture I9 in such wall whereby the entrance of objectionable water or moisture is prevented effectively even though such container be submerged, wholly or partly, in Water. The slide fastener structure I5 which is desirably like the fastener structure shown and described more fully in my copending application for Sealing closure, Serial No. 509,427 filed November 8, 1943, and includes features also of my Patent 2,385,816, may be -attached along its stringers 2D and 2I of suitable impervious textile fabric coated with suitable rubber 20c and 2Ic at a face thereof to the wall I1 as by an adhesive such, for example, as rubber cement, or by sewing or both, the stringers being mounted on adjacent separable margins 22 and 23 of the aperture I9 at the exterior face of the wall I1. For closing the opening between the adjacent margins of the stringers 20 and 2|, sealing elements 24 and 25 including laterally projecting tapered portions 26 and A2'! 0I resilient rubberlike material are mounted directly upon the oppcsiteends of and bridge spaced-apartcooperating fastener elements 428 and 29 in series: at the adjacent margins a and 2id of such stringers, which sealing and fastener elements are prefer.- ably coextensive with such margins of the stringers. The fastener elements are. engaged and disengaged by meansof a runner or slider operable from the exterior Tface lof the slide ,v

`. .j and extend Vtothe endsv of opposite Ymargins 23h .and 2 l'bof'the stringers in superimposed andl over- "lappin'g relation with the latter and the Wall il;

Such members may be attached to the stringers i and .Wall as by ajsuitable adhesive such as rubber cement ffor further assuring sealing along such edges of the stringers.V

The elongated aperture I S in the container i3i Sat one' end at 33 of the Vslide fastener structure i5 may be* sealed by securing together'as by rubber cement the opposing faces of overlapping end porareas of the overlapping tapered portions 26 and 2l at, end portions 24a e ,n d 25ul ofthe sealing elements extending from enel-end ofthe opening 40 to the extreme end at 435 of the' slide fastener l5 .are attached together as by a suitable adhesive for sealing purposes, and such attached parts of the yend portions 24a and 25a are positioned in a Vv manner such that a substantially flat surface is providedfacross -the'same in continuation of the at surfacesof, the flared portions 33 and 39 as shown especially in Fig. 4. The tapered portions `26 and Zlpftheend portions 24h and 25D of the sealing elements extending from the other end of the opening in the direction of the opposite end at 33 of the slide fastener and coextensive 'fvvith the flared portions 38 and 39'are .operatively free for openingand closing lthe aperture. .IS-in cooperation with the adjacent partsiof the sealing closure, Eor the closedv conditionof 'the end closure arrangement,.the tapered portions 26 and 21-of the end portions 24h and 25h are flexed such as to provide a substantially flat surface in conf `tinuation With-the surfaces of the flared' portions 38 and 39 as shown especiallyv in Fig. 5, although van irregularity in the sealing surface`3u` may be `-present at 4l where the marginal. edge of the tapered portion 21 in flexure-is .held in contact Withthevother tapered portion 26 in sealing relation therewith. Y t

- For the platform arrangement shown,` lateral .projections 42 land 43,VA tapered in section, extending from the-aredfportions tothe opposite margins of the stringers maybe provided for bracing `the latter portions to prevent undue transverse iiexure of the same land for providing the desired `transverse contour at theend at 35 to facilitate sealing such end by disposing smoothly thereon a strip elements of suitable rubber'rnaterial extending across the endin superimposed and overlapping relation with the slide fastener l5, the -strip elements 3i and.32,the platform'l and the -wail- I'I of. the container. 'The stri-p ele-ment 44 is attached thereto by a. suitable adhesive.

Stop means 45.and 46 for preventing engaging 4;v and disengaging movement of the runner 30 beyond theend fastener .elements at the respective ends-at 33 and 35 of the slide fastener structure f l5 are provided inass-ociation With's'uch end fastener elements. -.Stop. aneans'li includes, desirabl y, abridge structure 41 of rigid non-corrosive material such, for example, as brass strip material spanning the space between the adjacent margins Maand .21a of. the stringers, and mounted on thefastener' elementsV adjacent the A end ofthe 'openingfll beneath the attached parts of the end portions 24a and 25d of the sealing @.elementsin a manner such that the vrunner 30 :will be. positioned within the .opening '40,' when the sealingclosure is in the closed condition, as G0 shown especially in Figs.` 1,' 3 and 4. The bridge :structure Mis vconstructed and arranged to provide further. bracing of the platform against un- =-due lbendingfof'the latter transversely vand to la limited. extent longitudinally vthereof to' promote @5 maintenance of the seal bettveen the enclosure str-uctureand the platform.

To these ends the bridge structure 41 includes a lovver J-memberfllil havingv spaced-apartch'annel portions lilav and 48h adapted to lembracethe lower faces andVv ends of"' sev'ral @of the fastener elementsv along "each 'adjacent margin of the stringers, Which,hannelportions areintercon- "'tions'aand 21a1ofv 'the' laterally projecting A"tapered .portions 26 and 21 of the sealing elements 2'4` and 25' and'by astrrijp member 134 of suitable rubber materialextending continuously across the 4 "ends of 'thefabricfstringers 20 and 2i the ends of :the strip "members 3i and 32,v and the ends ofthe L sealing elements 24 and vZitat portions 26a and 21a including tapered bracing projections 24o and 25o in superimposed and overlapping relation there- 4 Lvvith.and'vvith thelwall il'. The strip member 34 `is securedtheretoA by a suitable adhesive.

For sealingv effectively the aperture I9 at the opposite endv at 35 of the slide fastenerstructm'e I5, theinvention provides'an'end closureY construction Which includes the enclosure structure i6 detachably associatedwith the runner 30 and 1 capable of sealingly engaging byV lip-action with la sealing surface 36 of a` platform 31 positioned at the exterior face of the fastenervstructure at the :region of theendati 35: Inforder to accommodate `the enclosure structure if and to provide the-'dej `1`vsired,sealing-surfaoe, preferably substantially j Iflat and smoothythe platform '31,'Which is rela- -1 tivelylessdlexible ascomparedto the flexibility of theslide fastener structureper se, is desirably t of'resilient rubbenprother rubber-like material and includes outwardly flared portions -38 and 39 *i integrally united with;vas'by molding, and incon- 4tinuation Withendportions-2110i, 24h and 25a, 25h of'thesealing elements-24jandf25 at the end at lM35# fThe--ared portions i38 and 39 extend longitudinally of the fastener structure alongtheend Viportions 24a; 2lb,-"and'25a,V 25h Ydesirably to the ends of the stringers 20 and 2 I atl35 andlmayrpr0 V `j jectlaterally from the-sealing elements at least `*part way toward or Wholly tothe opposite margins 2th and-2lb of v'suchf stringers whereby the platvform 31- may; be of sufficient extent for accommodating lthe enclosure structurefi; f v For ease of operation With-'little'ornobinding action -ofA the taperedportionsof the sealing ele- A. ments on the runneriand foneffectiveness of closure, the tapered pbftions g3 and 2 o f such sealing gelements'are vcon struc ted andarranged in a part of their lengthintermediaterthewends of the platform 3J toy proyinde anelongatedopening at 40 for receiving the runner 30. The'opposing nected by-a narrovvf web portion 48e positioned faces of the -fastener elements, the web 49a having dependent side portions 49h and 49C bent to embrace and secured to the web portion 48e as by;` soldering, if desired, for fastening together the upper and lower members 48 and 49 in engagement with the fastener elements thereby rigidly positioning in transverse spaced-.apart relation the latter elements relative to one another and also functioning to support and stiffen the platform 31, especially at the region of the bridge structure, against objectionable flexure.

Additional bracing of the platform 31 against -such flexure, especially longitudinally thereof; along the enclosure structure I6, may be provided by spaced-apart stiifening elements and 5l of relatively rigid material such, for example, as steel Wire disposed along the platform 31 substantially parallel with the fastener elements 2'8 and 29, and the ends of the wire elements may have closed loops to facilitate positioning the stiffening elements desirably `adjacent the stringers by'studs 52 extending through the `stringers and the looped ends. The stiffening wires 5ll and 5l are also em- :bedded in the Ibody of resilient rubber material comprising the platform in the manner shown especially in Figs. ,1, 2 and 4, thereby imparting stiffness to the rubber material of the platform adjacent the enclosure structure.

The enclosure structure I6 .includes a housing f 53 of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material, preferably molded and vulcanized in the desired shape, which housing is desirably generally elliptical in form but may be circular, rectangular or other suitable forms for accommodating the runner 3l) and for conforming substantially to the form .of the platform 31. The housing 53 includes a cap portion 54 and a continuous marginal side wall 55 depending from the cap portion 54, the side wall 55 being tapered in section and terminating in an edge 55 for sealing by lip-action with the sealing surface 36, which construction also permits flexure and conformance of the tapered side wall at the edge 56 to irregularities .as at 4|.-v

in such sealing surface by virtue of the flexibility of the resilient rubber material thereof. In the as molded condition of the housing, the tapered side wall 55 is in the position indicated by the numeral 51, as shown especially in broken lines in Fig. 3; and in the sealing condition with the platform, such tapered side wall 55 is iiexedf-to the position indicated .by the numeral 58.

Retaining means for holding the housing '53 in separable sealing relation with the platform 31J and for separably associatingthe housing with the runner 30 is, desirably, enclosed Within the space 59 defined by such housing. The retaining means may include a mounting plate 60 of relatively rigid sheet material such, for example, as-F sheet brass of generally elliptical form having a central aperture at 6| for receiving therethrough a projecting `pin 62 attached to the runner. The outer marginal portion of the plate kt0 is seated in an annular recess in the inner face of the sidel wall 55 adjacent the cap portion 54 and may be held therein as by a suitable adhesive.

A snap fastener assembly 64 for detachably engaging the wall of the groove 61 in the pin 62 may be mounted upon the upper face of the mounting plate 60 and suitably secured to the latter as by a plurality of spaced-apart lugs extending through apertures in the plate Si) and bent into engagement with the lower face of such plate, as shown especially inA Figs. 3 and' 6. The

' snap fastener assembly B4 is also 'positioned within a suitably shaped recess at in the cap portion 54 adapted to receive such assembly and the end of the projecting pin 62. The housing 53, the mounting plate 60 and the snap fastener assembly 64 are constructed and arranged to cooperate vvith the projecting pin 62 of the runner such that, when the fastener assembly 64 is engaged with the pin, the tapered sidewall 55 is flexed resiliently outward relative to such side:

y wall and is held resiliently in sealing relation with the surface 36 of the platform 31 by lip-- action of the edge 56.

For conveniently engaging and disengaging the snap fastener assembly 54 and the pin 62 by manipulation from the exterior of the housing 53, a fitting 1l of suitable metal material is secured at one end as by riveting to the front portion of the mounting plate at the longitudinal centerline thereof, and extends through a suitable opening in the cap portion 54 in sealing relation with the wall of such opening and may be attached to the latter wall as by rubber cement. The fitting 1l has a transverse bore 12 in its other end portion at the exterior of the housing for receiving in a pivotal manner a pull tab 13 such, for example, as a metal ring to provide for exerting force on the fitting in the direction normal to the slide fastener structure for engaging and disengaging the enclosure structure and the runner, or, if desired, substantially parallel with the samealong the wall of the container for moving the runner 30 back and forth along the fastener elements 28 and 29 to engage and disengagel the latter.

To further facilitate such movement of the runner alo-ng the slide fastener l5 and to provide relative swinging movement between the enclosure structure I6 and the runner 30 while preventing accidental loss of the latter structure, a movable link 14 of suitable rigid material f such as brass having the desired strength characteristics interconnects the enclosure structure and the runner and embraces part of a projecting portion 15 or second post of the latter when such runner and enclosure structure are engaged for sealing the opening 4i) at the platform 31. The link 14 at one end thereof extends through a transverse bore 16 in a supporting member 11 of suitable rigid material, which member 11 is secured at one end as by riveting to the back portion of the mounting plate 60 at the longitudinal centerline thereof. The link 14 at its other end extends through a suitable slit 18 in the projecting portion 15, which portion and link are adapted to be housed within the enclosure structure i6 beneath the plate 60. The link 14 pivots freely in the bore 15 and the slot 18, and slides freely along such slot for permitting the relative swinging movement between the enclosure structure I6 and the runner 30 for conveniently opening and Iclosing the slide fastener structure I6 and for sealing the latter at its platform end at 35.

In contrast to prior runner or slider constructions which have loosely engaged the fastener elements for obtaining relative ease of operation of the slide fastener, the runner 30 provides advantageously for close control of such fastener4 elements while providing the desired ease and reliability of operation. The runner 30 also permits the free passage thereover of the laterally projecting tapered portions 26 and 21 of the seal- 1' 75 ing elements 24 and 25`With little or no wear on *the edges of "such tapered- Eportions v#despite sthe *projecting prtion ofthe runner extending therebetween. The runner Silis `made of rigid material such, for exarnplaias brass,a`luminu`rn "alloy"`or plastic materialand'may -bemade an; *integral unit as by die-'casting ormolding' or 4v`other Suitable'processes. The runner includes a topiplate element 1E'l'1a'Vingl desirablya grad- 4`ually curved upper face't'erminatingfin upwardly lared'portions 19a, andi19oatftheentranceiend@ at 30a ofA the runner "and "positionableadjacent 4*the 'tapered f portions f28 'and 21 of --the :sealing elements 24 and 25 and aV flatlower faceyand `includes abottomplate or trackfelement`A 80 havingfsideflangesftaand 80h, which elements'f15l.l "a"-I1.'d ili.''are held in spaced-apart parallel relaition and interconnected by a center or .spreader \--p`ost-"8l, ltapered in section, Lat the entrance/.end

lfla, lof the runner.

The respective plate iand track elements `:19- l.

'and8 and the Vspreaderfpost 8| define track lpassagesfor the fastener elements havingsub- `fstantially parallel sides through the ,runner.. Such'passages'include at the'end 35h opposite the entrance end'3a of the runner a "channel'g '-longitudinal of the rows oi fastener elements *'28 and '29 and two connecting channels "extending "angularly from the longitudinal l "channel to the entrance end. The' angular con- 'fnecting channels are of suicient width nor-f.:

*"rr'ial to and between thespreaclerv post 8l and the inner` faces, of theiside angeslla and Bb to `accommodate the fastener elements with mini- '-`Inum "transverse movement of the latterl during longitudinal movement therethrough in v'orderfto prevent twisting and jamming of thelfa'stener elements in such angular passages.

The 'inner transverse edges of thev ends ofthe plate'and track elements ata and Vi-llf'are rounded,"as shown'especiallyV in "Eig, 3, 'which facilitates 'smooth' engaging action by 'the `run- 'ner with the fastenerelernents 28 and"29at such vl`ends and aids in preventing 'jamming of the "latter elements `28 and. v'29 at these points.

Rounded end portions'cand 80d of the side.: yflanges at the entrance end Sila of the runner are flared upwardly and outwardly'whichl constructionna'rrows the width of `slots82`-and BS'betw'een 'the' rsidernargins of the top plate element 15J-and U'the side flanges of the bottom track elementv'8ll Y V for furtherfacilitating the desired smooth' engaging actionand preventing jammingfbythe fastener elements at suchen-:I 30a, and also pre- "venting side'egr'ess of the fastener-elements immediately at such' rounded end portionsV oll'theA side flanges.Y The width of the respective slots 82 Ev"and 83 along the sides of therunner is fless than 'the depth of the fastenerfelenients towpret'ent egress of sucnelernents alongsu'chsides.

`rl`he projecting portion15mn-therunnerlexf: -f'tends along the longitudinal"centerlin of the lat- *ter in superimposed and spaced-'apartrelation with the top plate element' 19 substantially from n"fend to'end thereof to accommodate-the 'sealing elements 2d and '25 therebetween andincludes a;- downward extension# 'i560 integrally l-united'with the plateand track elements 19 'andF 80 andthe `center post-'8i at 'the entrance end 20a-ofthe Y' runner. The projecting portion 415 orfs'econd post including the extension 15a is relativelylnarrow:

in width as compared to the width of -thetop plate elementy to permit `Ysubstantially free movementl of such portion -15 between the edges of the tapered portions 26and- 21 of-thefseallng-'elements 24'fand "H v`with little or' no' 'rubbing on '-suclr edges durJ t'smgmaliipulationrof Lthe. siidefastener'structure =lgfassh`own especiallyliniig. .'7.

i .The projecting portion l5 ral-so zincludes Aa .web l fl'bfoined .with and. extending a. relativelyshort 5 f-Sfdifstan'ce .along the top plate '-19 `at the region fof Cithel-angularpassages of.' the runner at .thevend :'23011. Thefweb y1*.ibtapers "infsection' to a rounded e' 'iigefrcandi'isldisposed such that .the .edge 15e. is iset' 'lrlative :to l-the .f longitudinal centerline of herunner in La manner to promote, in'i'coopera- HStien#withlthe icurved vupper fface :andi flared end ifpoiftion-'si'of tli'etopLplata :the "desired 'opening' and spreading lapartl action i of "the sealing elements s 24 lf`Fand125- with-:minimum rubbing contact-'with the =15"-dges of'lthetapened portions 1f26. and 21 ofithe V'riattent'31ements,.

''.Tozopenthesealing-closure from the closed condtiunshown'iimFig..1,'the' pull Stab"13 is movedfto -positl'onfpermittingthe-exertion of. outward liftigging iforces on the Hitting '1 l lsubstantially .normal l'to'lthe 'slide :fastener structure I5 and platform f F31, whichl-ifting force is'transrnitted'through A,the "ittin'g? 1 Ito the enclosurestructure IGat the front l'fportionilof thefmountingplater. :'Underithe .in- ,25 fil-uence ofl suchilifting s forcev .the mounting plate :Gnd snapfastenerlstructure'dthen swing in pivotalllmannerf away from the platforrrrB` ro- *-tatingilabout'ther axis of theijunction between' the Sl-ink'ffN f'andlthe isupporting'fmember 11 attthe back portion ofthemountin'gtplate. Bilanci overillyingithe bridgestructure`-41 which pivotal swing- -fingiactionfdisengageg the :snap fasteneriifl.` from YV-therpin62laindalsollbreaks the seal vbetween the irenclosurefstriucture iGan'd'the:,platformSl zThe sfbrid'geA-"fstructurei 41; and lf-platform -31'- function sas -lbrac'ing meanstwprevent substantial inward fmovenientre'lative torfthel platform'by the' linkf14 1 andesupportmgiiamember'l Vdespite the inward iorcelexertedlthereon@duetto the'lifting of the front portion Iofthe` mounting plate A'60 causing 'apivotingl action to a lllimitedextent about the pinT G25-whereby thel supporting -member 1 IV maintains-a elativelyrfixedposition during' the disengaging-:action 45 JWhamtheenclosurestructurel I6 isifully disen- *Egagedlfroin theI pin? 62, 'ai force yor `pull! substan- A@-'tlahy parallel-.tothefside fastener: l5 in the direc- `-2tionlf-the1`endi ati- 3 3, thereof applied through the IS-pullitab" 13 Landi-fitting 1|fcauses the enclosure --istructureito'swinguoutwardly vfrom the platform 1 fr-to `afpositiorrrin`fadvance of the f runner" 3 ilA toward f-I-fthen'd `at133 by virtue of the coincidental pivoting of th .link'142sin -theborel ofthe support- -ir'igmelnber 1f1-:ancli'n the 'slot' 18 of the projecting ifportion .15 oifltlierunnergrtheilink'd stopping-its lflslidingfinovement atilthel'front end of the projecti.:znglportionJia-Continuation of such ip'ullon the encloS'urei-'structurel"linl the direction of the Eend ati3'31movesftherrunnerfrom the `openingi S-dnlthatl platform 31 alongfthg'slidev fastener 'f l5 f; toward such end vdisengaging .'the fastener-ele- ?nnts28l1aricl29=lsuccessive1y during' the sliding ff movement-'ofthe' runner. Byvirtue vof the coacti'on ofl thefastener elements-"the center post o5a'ndilthe1walls oithefangularconnecting channels :Prof rstherunnenzsuch sliding movement spreads apart transverselyithe' flared portions '33 and 39 of itlf1`e`:platform'` 311'andthe` adjacent margins of "ithevstringers2it'and 2lv anddisposes the sealing oifniembers" 24l'andrf25' in.' substantially .the position 1fshownfespecially Fig.' 2; thus breaking thetlip ."fseal'betWeen-such members 24 and 25 at the platfl-'for'rn 31'. and falongthe'fdisen'gaged part of the slide -Yf 'fastener' lstructure I 5; *interme diatez the opening (52110 andi-therunne' 30.

direction, the top plate element 19 passes in contacting relation with and beneath the sealing members 24 and 25 permitting the free passage of the tapered portions 26 and 21 of the members over the gradually curved upper face of such plate element 19. The spreading action of the runner on the stringers and sealing members moves the edge of the tapered portion 21 of one of such members across the opposing area of the tapered portion 25 of the other member to a position separated from and in angular relation with the edge of the latter tapered portion 26 at the region of the projecting portion 15 including the web 15a, as shown especially in Figs. 2 and '7. During such spreading action, the curved upper face and the flared portions 19a and 19h of the top plate 19 flex the tapered portions 26 and 21 outwardly relative to the runner and fastener elements and cooperate with the projecting portion 15 and web 15a in a manner such that the tapered portions 26 and 21 of the sealing members pass freely over such face and freely along the projecting portion 15 with little or no wear of the edges of the tapered portions. This construction and arrangement thus promotes reliability of fluid sealing and ease of operation of the slide fastener structure I even after extensive use and service.

To return the sealing closure from the open condition shown in Fig. 2 to the closed condition shown in Fig. 1, a pull or force in the direction of the end at 35 and substantially parallel to the slide fastener is exerted through the pull tab 13 and fitting 1| which pivots swingingly the enclosure structure I5 about the axis of the bore 16 of the supporting member 11 on the link 14, while the link 14 pivots in and slides along the slot 18 to the opposite end of the projecting portion 15 of the runner. As the runner and enclosure structure are manipulated along the rows of fastener elements 28 and 29, the latter move through the angular connecting and longitudinal passages of the runner without jamming at the entrance end 30a thereof. Also, the tapered portions 29 and 21 of the sealing members 24 and 4 pass freely along the projecting portion 15 and web 15a and pass freely over the curved upper face of the top plate 19 exing back into overlapping and sealing relation with one an- I other at the end at 39h of such runner, as shown especially in Fig. 7.

When the runner 30 passes along the end porl tions 24h and 25h of the sealing members contiguous with the flared portions 38 and 39 of the platform 31 to register the projecting portion 15 of the runner with the opening at 49, such end and flared portions are initially spread apart and the stiiening wires 59 and 5I are bent by the entrance end 30a of the runner but resume the closed and sealed condition upon engagement of the fastener elements 28 and 29 by virtue of the hereinabove given action of the tapered portions 26 and 21 of the sealing members coacting with the runner and by virtue of the resiliency of the rubber material of such members and platform and the restorative spring action of the stiifening wires 59 and 5|. In this manner the desired substantially fiat sealing surface 36 is again provided at the region of the end portions 24D and 25h.

To completely seal the sealing closure at the end at 35, the enclosure structure I6 is next swung pivotally toward the end at 33 until the central l0 istered with the pin 62 on the projecting portion 15 positioned in the opening at 4|), the link 14 sliding along the slot 18 toward the end at 30h of the runner. The snap fastener assembly 64 is then engaged with the pin 52 by exerting inward force relative to the platform 31 on the fitting 1| and seating the spring elements 65 and 66 in the groove 61 through pivoting the mounting plate 6i) about the axis of the bore 16 of the supporting member 11 overlying the bracing bridge structure 41. Coincidental with the inward movements and separable attachment of the enclosure structure I9 to the runner, the tapered side wall of the housing 53 flexes into contact with the platform 31 and seals against the sealing surface 36 by lip action of the edge 56. By virtue of the resiliency of the rubber-like material, the side wall 55 at the edge 55 conforms to the sealing surface despite irregularities therein as at 4| and conforms to any minor extent of exure of the platform 31, transversely or longitudinally, which may occur in use.

The modified construction shown in Fig. 8 is similar in many aspects to the construction of the enclosure structure I6 and the runner 30 and is useful especially for applications of the sealing .closure where a screwthreaded or other positive-action fastener means is desired for separably attaching the enclosure structure 99 to the runner 9|. The runner 9| is like the runner 39 except that instead of the pin 62 of the latter, an interiorly threaded boss 92 integral with and projecting upwardly from the projecting portion 93 of the runner 9| isl provided for securing the enclosure thereto.

The enclosure structure 90 is pivotally connected to the runner 9| by the link 94 extending through the slot 98 of the runner and engaging the supporting member 91 at the bore 96 therein, such link and supporting member being substantially like the link 14 and the member 11. The supporting member 91 is attached as by riveting to the mounting plate at the back portion thereof, the mounting plate 95 being of suitable shape and of suitable metal material and being seated in an annular recess 99 in the side Wall l I 99 of the housing I 9| molded of suitable rubberlike material to the desired generally elliptical form. The side wall |00 is tapered in section and terminates in an edge |92 Afor lip-sealing action with the platform 31. The mounting plate 95 includes an integral central portion 95a seated in a recess in and contacting the cap portion |93 of the housing I 9| and such plate 95, if desired, may be secured to the housing as by a lsuitable adhesive. A bore for admittingv a screw fastener |64 extends through the cap portion |93 and the mounting plate 95 and terminates in a counterbore at the lower face of the plate 95 for receiving the boss 92 of the runner 9|.

The screw fastener |94 includes a knurled head portion l 94a and a shank portion I04b threaded vat the end opposite the knurled head for engagportion ofthe mounting plate 95. The fittingv |06 13 plate with margins sufciently close to said flanges to pre-vent lateral escape of said fastener elements, and a runner-manipulating projection extending from said upper plate with side clearance above said upper plate for passage between said sealing members.

6. A runner as defined in claim in which said runner-manipulating projectionl comprises a portion elongated in the fore and aft direction and having a slot for reception of an operating member, said portion being connected to said upper plate by a web tapering to a relatively thin edge for providing said clearance above the upper plate.

7. A sealing closure for an aperture in a wall having an exposed sealing surface, said closure comprising an enclosure structure positionable in overlying relation with said aperture at said surface, said structure including an elastic marginal portion tapering to a thin edge for sealing against said surface by lip-action flexure of said edge against said surface, and retaining means for detachably holding said structure against said surface, said means including an element pivotally mounted on said structure and anchored with respect to said surface for permitting swinging movement of said structure relative to said surface for opening the aperture.

8. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising sealing elements extending along said margins at a face of the closure and terminating in a junction at an end of the closure, said junction having a sealing surface at said face and an opening therein at the joinder of said elements with the junction, a member positionable in said opening in engagement with said margins in the closed condition of the closure, a housing positionable in overlying relation to said opening and said member at said surface for closing said opening, and means for separably holding said housing against said surface, said housing including an elastic marginal portion for sealing against said surface.

9. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising slide fastener means including a runner for engaging and disengaging said margins, sealing elements extending along said margins at a face of the closure, a platform on said margins joined With said elements atan end of the closure, said platform having a sealing surface at said face and an openingtherein at the region of joinder with said elements for receiving said runner in the closed condition of the closure,

Vahousing positionable in overlying relation t0 said runner and said opening at said surface for closing said opening, said housing including an elastic marginal portion tapering `to a thin edge for sealing against said surface by lip-action ilexure of said edge against said surface, and means carried by said housing for'separably engaging said runner and holding said housing at said surface.

10. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising slide fastener means including a runner for engaging and disengaging said .65 margins, sealing elements including lateral porform having a sealing surface at said face merg--` ing With said sealing elements and having anV opening therein at the region of merger with said sealing elements for receiving said runner in the 1 erative fastener elements at adjacent margins to be joined, sealing elements having elastic lateral portions positionable in overlapping sealing relation to one another and extending along said margins over said fastener elements at a face of the closure, one of which portions tapers to an edge for contacting the other portion in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of said edge, and a runner including a projecting-portion at said face for thus positioningsaidl sealing-elements land for engaging and disengaging said fastener Y elements, said projecting portion'extending between said sealing elements, an end closure cornprising a sealing surface at said face at an end of the slide fastener closure, a housing positionable at said surface and adapted to receive said projecting portion of said runnersaid housing including a marginal portion of resilient rubberlike material tapering to an edge for sealing against said sealing surface by lip-action of the latter said edge, and attaching means carried by said housing for separably attaching the latter to said projecting portion of said runner.

12. A sealing closure for adjacent margins, said closure comprising cooperative fastener elements at said margins, sealing elements including lateral portions of resilientmaterial extending along said margins at a face of the closure for disposition in overlapping sealing relation of said lateral portions in the closed condition of the closure, one of which portions tapers to an edge for contacting the other portion in sealing relation therewith by lip-action of said edge, a runner comprising an upper plate including a projecting portion at the opening end of the runner and at said face of the closure for thus positioning said sealing elements ano1 for engaging and disengaging said fastener elements, said upper plate having side rnarginsV and having faces lwhich rise from said side margins toward the center and toward said opening end 'and merge With said projecting portion for guiding said sealing elements into said overlapping sealing relation, said projecting portion extending between said sealing elements, a platform on said adjacent margins of the closure joined with Ysaid'sealing elements at an end of the closure, said platform having a sealing surface at said face of the ciosure merging with said sealing elements and having an opening therein at the region .of merger with said;

sealing elements andhaving an opening therein at the region of mergerwith said sealing elements for receiving said runner including saidv ,projecting portion thereof in the closed condition, a housing positionable in overlying relation to said runner and said opening at said sealing surface for closing said opening and adapted to' receive said projecting portion, and means carried by said housing for separably engaging said.

projecting portion and holding said housing against said sealing surface, said housing includinaa. Indicatif-marginali..sottise. tapering-to sharp edge forsealing.. .against Seid Sealing Surfece. .ba .lipfactiea tenure; f said.. Sharp @dee ae'ainst-.Saidsurfaee i 13;. A .runnerassemblyjona sealing. slide fasi tener.; in. which e .Serisfoffiasienes elements are eneaeeable and` diseneaseeble-.by @mail Of the runner and. sealingelements are, adapted tobe brought. into sealingV relation upon` closing the fastener., said runnerI `assembly comprising a runner-structure. including a lower plate, an upper, plate, ya. spreader. post spacing saidplates apart and providingxtherewith a vtrack. for said fasteneizelemntssand a second post extending above saidupperplate for projecting between said sealing.. elements, and said; runnen assembly corn-, praising a housing .c arried,by4 said runner strucf ture vfor. disposition at a seallngsurface of'an end por-tion ofthe-slide4 fastener, and adapted to receive said-.second-postof said runner structure, said. housing. having an, elastic marginal portion tapering to an .edge for sealing against said sui-,

faceby .lipfaction. .exure of said. edge against said. surfaeaand means .carried by said, housing for. separably,.engaging saidsecond post of said l runner .structure andholding said housingat said surface..

14. A runner.. assembly for a .sealing slideA fastener-in which a seriesof fastener elements are engageableand disengageable. by action or the runner. and. sealing. elements. .are adapted to be brought into. sealing rrelation. upon closing the...

fastener, said. runner assembly comprising a runnerstructure.including. a lower plate, an upper` plate..a...spreader post spacing said plates apart and:y providing therewith a track fork said fastener elements, and .a second post ex.-

tending above .said `upper-A plate for projecting between .said seal-ing elements and having side clearance., above.... said. :upperv plate for passage` between said-sealingelements, and said runner assembly. comprising a housing carried by said runner-,structure .for disposition at a sealing surface of .an end portion of the slide `fastener andadapted to receive.sadsecondpost of said f runner structure, said housing .having a marginal portion. of resilient rubber-like' material tapering to an. edge nfor sealing against said surface by lip-action flexure. of said edge against said surface; and attaching means carried by said housing for vseparably engaging said second post of said runner-structure and holding said heusing at said surface, saidattaching means include. ing an element pivotally mounted on said hous. ing' and said second post for permitting swinging.v movement of said housing relative to said runner structure andthe sealing surface.

15.?. A runner.` assembly fora sealing slide fastener in which a series of fastener elements are engageable and disengageable by action of the runner and sealingelements are adapted to be brought into .sealing relation upon closing the fastener,. said ruimer assembly comprising a. lower plate, an upper plate, a spreader post specing said plates apart andproviding therewith a.

Sepa-rably .connected to said second post for.v

manipulating said runnerto open and close the fastener, said-handle.. means including closure` means forsealing against sealing surface of an eea-porinnaihs Slieeiesieeett@ desem@ Seres- Number.

16,.. -L..-1f11.11perA Ier.- a. .Se which a. series of. .fastenerl an upper plataand aspreaderl post at the openf' ingV end of the runner.v spacing saidplates .apart` andprovidingtherewith a. traclfor said fastener. elements, saidlower. plate having upstanding side,

flanges diverging in .a ffore and aft direction tof,v wardsaid Opening emi, end2end-.upper plate be.; ing. narrower ,thanV said lower1 `plata with margins.

adjacent said flanges to prevent lateral escapeloff `said fastenerielements, said upper. plate having'A facesfor contacting, said, sealing elements which.. faces risel fromsaidmagins continuously to and', merge at the centerandrisecontinuously from?. the closing endfto saidiopening end of therunn'er v .to facilitate guidingaid sealing elements 'intoIk said overlapping Sealing-relation..

17., A runner. .as delned in claim 161 in which said sidenaneesof said lower plate are laredupf-U: wardly. and outwardly .withurespect tosaid upper ,plate at. saidopening. end. of the runner to. narrow l the space between said sideilanges and'saidu-p- Q per plate at said end for, preventing.A jamming ofV said fastener elements and lateralescape thereofat said end of the runner.

1S. A runner as denedin claim .17 in, which.

ments and preventing jamming. of said fastenerl elements and lateral escape thereof atsaid endI of the runner.

19. A runner fon a sealingslidefastener invk which a series of fastener elements are. engagen able and disengageableby action of the 4runner and sealing elements are adapted to be brought into overlapping sealing relation .upon closing the fastener, said runnerV .comprising a lower plata.

an upper plate,.and. a spreaderpost at the openf ing end of the runner. spacing .said plates apart and providing therewith a track for said fastener, elements, said lower plate having upstanding side flanges diverging inthe foreand aft direction toward saidopening end, andsaid upper plate having margins' adjacent said side flanges` and faces for contacting said sealing elements which faces rise from said margins continuously to and Y merge at the center and rise to said .opening end of the runner to facilitate guiding said sealing elements into said overlapping sealing relation. CARROLL P. KRUPP.

REFERENCES .CITED The following references are of recordvln the me. 0f @1l-l. Pazbifd Y Yassinefastener. .ina @menta @maneges-L I able.: and, diseeeaeeebla breeders Ofi the.. runri and sealingelementsareadapte'd tolbe'broughtl .Y intooverlapping sealing'relationyupon closing the, fastener, said runner comprising a lowerf plate,"v

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,494,249 January 10, 1950 CARROLL P. KRUPP. It is hereby certiied that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 6, line 56, for slit 78 reed slot 78; column 7, line 68, for 20a read 80a; column 14, line 10, for reslient reed resilient; lines 65 to 67 inclusive, strike out the Words and having an opening therein at the region of merger With said sealing elements; and that the seid Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of August, A. D. 1950.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

